The Chris Hedges Report

Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek finance minister and DiEM25 leader known for critiques of capitalism, unpacks the politics behind the so‑called “Board of Peace.” He links it to historic corporate colonialism and warns it masks dispossession. He discusses how Trump’s hub‑and‑spokes strategy reshapes global power, fractures allies, and limits multilateral responses.

Amin Husain, a Palestinian academic and activist focused on settler colonialism, shares his journey from El Bireh to advocating for decolonial organizing. He discusses how Western settler colonialism shaped his identity and informs his activism today. Husain critiques the representation of colonial narratives in institutions like museums, emphasizing the importance of alternative education. He also addresses the backlash against cultural progress and the need for solidarity and grassroots movements to challenge authoritarianism and corporate influence in academia.

This discussion features Norman Finkelstein, a renowned political scientist and Middle East scholar known for his critical insights on the Israel-Palestine conflict. He delves into the shocking implications of a recent UN resolution that seemingly endorses imperialist goals, declaring Gaza as 'res nullius' and legitimizing Trump's authority over the region. Finkelstein critiques the UN's moral collapse and discusses the systemic nature of ethnic cleansing in Israel's policies, urging a reevaluation of international law and advocating for grassroots organizing to reclaim free speech.

Maureen Tkacik, investigations editor at The American Prospect, delves into the dark intersections of U.S. policy, drug trafficking, and Cold War history. She uncovers Marco Rubio's familial ties to drug operations in Miami, and discusses how CIA and DEA entanglements influenced narcotrafficking. Tkacik connects past operations like Iran-Contra to contemporary geopolitical maneuvers, questioning the legitimacy of U.S. drug war claims and highlighting their use as a cover for military interventions. A gripping analysis of hidden histories and state collusion.

William D. Hartung, a senior fellow at the Quincy Institute and co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, dissects the military-industrial complex's grip on U.S. policy. He discusses how tech elites, like Thiel and Musk, are reshaping militarism with their ideologies. Hartung highlights the decline of oversight, leading to costly weapons failures and criticizes Pentagon funding's influence on academia. He also addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and warns of the domestic costs of militarism, suggesting unchecked militarism will erode democracy.

Anand Giridharadas, an author known for his exploration of elite power, joins to discuss the troubling intersections of privilege and responsibility. He criticizes how market elites, particularly in Silicon Valley, believe they can resolve societal issues while often perpetuating inequality. Giridharadas highlights the dangers of 'efficiency' in corporate practices that exploit workers and erode public services. He also examines elite forums that promote philanthropy without real systemic change, exposing a delusional belief in their role as agents of progress.

Dylan Saba, a staff attorney at Palestine Legal and co-host of the Turbulence podcast, joins the discussion to analyze the implications of the Gaza genocide. He argues that the tragedy signals the decline of U.S. hegemony amidst a chaotic global landscape. Saba explores how American imperial overreach is manifesting dangerously after October 7th, and emphasizes the importance of grassroots resistance. He highlights strategic leverage points, such as dock worker strikes, advocating for a reconstituted left that moves beyond traditional electoral politics.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian organizer and Columbia University grad student facing deportation, shares his experiences as a negotiator during the campus encampments. He discusses the backlash against activism, the framing of protests, and the violent responses from counter-protesters. Michael Workman, co-director of The Encampments, highlights the film's aim to counter media misrepresentations. Together, they reveal the erosion of academic freedom at universities and the personal impacts of solidarity on the Palestinian community.

Brin-Jonathan Butler, an author and journalist known for his deep dives into the psychology of elite competitors, discusses the dark side of chess. He highlights how obsession leads players like Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen to sacrifice their humanity for greatness. Butler reveals the addictive nature of perfectionism in chess and the tragic stories of prodigies like Peter Winston. He explores violent metaphors within the chess community and parallels between chess and boxing, emphasizing the often devastating mental toll on top players.

Micaela Sahhar, an author and educator focused on Palestinian history, delves into her memoir, *Find Me at the Jaffa Gate*. She explores the significance of pivotal events like 1948 and 1917 in understanding contemporary Palestinian experiences. Sahhar contrasts state archives with personal family memories, recounting her family's displacement and the trauma of bombings. She advocates for the importance of diasporic narratives in affirming identity and highlights the ongoing erasure of Palestinian stories, particularly in Gaza.